Bacterial infections in hospitalized HIV patients

A prospective screening of 473 hospitalized HIV infected patients gave 253 bacterial infections in 169 patients. Pneumonia was the most frequent infec tion (n = 106). Infections were documented in 111/253 (44 %) episodes. The most frequent isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus sp. (n = 25), Pseudomo nas aeruginosa (n = 21), Escherichia coli (n = 20), and Streptococcus pneum oniae (n = Is). Factors associated with infections were: intravenous drug u se (RR: 1.38; 95 % CI: 1.07-1.77, p < 0.004), CD4 < 100 (RR: 1.39; 95 % CI: 1.09-1.64, p < 0.007), and previous AIDS (RR: 1.43; 95 % CI: 1.1-1.867, p < 0.002). However, IV drug use (RR 1.8; 95 % CI 1.31-2.46, p < 10(-3)) was the only significant factor for community acquired infections while CD4 < 1 00 (RR 4.54; 95 % CI: 1.86-11.07, p < 10(-3)) and AIDS (RR 4.71, 95 % CI 2. 05-10.85, p < 10(-4)) were significant only for nosocomial infections. We c onclude that the main risk factors for community acquired and nosocomial in fections are intravenous drug use and AIDS, respectively.